Three years ago I started taking Tamoxifen for prophylaxis for breast cancer. Recently, I started to experience episodes of extreme confusion, inability to speak, double vision and other visual disturbances, and a lack of coordination of my legs. My neurologist thought that the Tamoxifen was triggering these events so I stopped taking it.

Except for the speech problem, the neuro symptoms have stopped and unexpectedly my depression has lifted. Sure enough, depression is listed as a side effect. My sister in law had recently commented that over the last three years I haven't been myself. I have had episodes of depression before but this was the worst. I practically stopped eating and I was spending a lot of time in bed. I was barely functioning. It's amazing how much better I feel now.

So keep an eye on the side effects of your other meds.

I agree, Helen. I was on fentanyl for a long time, and it drove me into a daze and depression so strong that I didn't even realize it. I lost so much weight that I had to start taking other meds to bring it back up. Now I haven't used the drug in nearly two years, and I've been more alert and active since I stopped.

Helen, you bring up a good point! Depression can sneak up on you before you know it, and it's hard to get back out of that dark place. Most of the meds I take have depression as a side effect, so I stay on an AD. However ,tysabri really sent me into a deep dark hole, so I stopped that medication. Side-effects of drugs are sometimes not worth the benefits.

Who's more likely to follow orders, comply, or subserve?

A depressed person, or a normal person?

How can a pharmaceutical company make money if they aren't selling meds?

-BPB